Poltergeist Remake Announced

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In news sure to thrill any horror fan, MGM and Fox have announced a new feature film production of Poltergeist, set to begin shooting in the fall. This new take on the classic horror tale will be produced by the genre luminary Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Spiderman) and based on a screenplay by David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz The Great and Powerful). Based on the 1982 thriller starring Craig T. Nelson, the story will revolve around a financially struggling family who downgrades to a small suburban home which may or may not come with its own ghosts (Spoiler alert: it does). Once their youngest daughter is taken by the forces of invisible evil, her family must fight to get her back.

This isn’t the only horror remake on which Raimi has put his “creepy” touch in recent months, as The Evil Dead “re-imagining” was recently released and met with both critical and popular acclaim.

No word on director or casting yet, but as this film ramps up in production I’m sure we’ll be bringing you more news. Until then, try to stay away from any static-filled television sets.

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Excited for this new remake? Any other horror films you’d love to see get a modern treatment? Leave a comment, email me, or say hi and howdy on ye oldeTwitter Machine.

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It is not a “remake” – it is more along the lines of a sequel. I was born in 71 – the original scared the hell out of me. But, I also got to read this new script. It is really good. It is respectful to the original while expanding on the story. I think most will enjoy it.

Why is news of a completely unnecessary re-make that no one was clamoring for going to “thrill every horror fan?” Every single major film “re-boot” of the last decade has had at least as many detractors as it has fans, why should this one be any different?

Personally, I think of the original Poltergeist as a near-perfect movie … terrifying without the need for R-rated violence, gore and shenanigans. Even with Sam Raimi involved, I think the remake is a bad idea, and one that I will definitely be avoiding in the theater.

This is news that frightens this horror fan! IF the original didn’t hold up so well, that might be one thing but it does and is such a staple of my childhood that I’m afraid doing a straight remake/reboot would be akin to rebooting the original Star Wars or Godfather films for me. It’s totally unnecessary! I had hoped they would pick it up in modern day with a new family / spin on the legend but this news makes it sound identical. I am happy to see Raimi and Ghost House attached, at least that might put the emphasis on utilizing practical effects like the original did, with CGI used only to enhance the effects . . . one can only hope!

I personally don’t think remaking Poltergeist is a good idea. I re watched the original about 6 months back and while it isn’t perfect by the standards of today it has a certain charm to it that I honestly don’t think they would be able to capture with a remake.

Yeah, the actress in the movie (Heather O’Rourke, thank you!) wasn’t available the day they shot that image for the poster, so my friend Stephanie Stephens was asked to fill in. Sorry to rile this up, I should have realized I’d set off this conversation and explained it in the first place.

Robert, would your friend Stephanie be willing to post a write up about her experience? I run a fan site about the films and was not aware they had used a standin for the poster. I can be reached via the “contact me” link at my site linked from my name here.